I believe the United States of America is in a pivotal moment of history that has many prophetic parallels to a particular time in biblical history—the exile and return of God’s people from the Babylonian empire. It was under the direction of King Cyrus the great who was undeniably used by God as a powerful instrument to restore His people.
I want to prophesy over America and highlight the assignment from heaven in this season to not only restore and raise up the nation of America, but also to use her as a signpost and catalyst for the nations—and even more so for the body of Christ.
Out of Exile
When the presidential inauguration took place in January the Lord began speaking to me that it was going to be a season of rebuilding and restoration for the United States and that He was releasing mantles and anointings to rebuild, recover and revive this great nation.
Just recently in worship, I kept hearing the Lord say to me, “It’s the anointing of Zerubbabel I am releasing!”
Zerubbabel was a man of God used powerfully to lead the first band of Jews out of captivity, to erect an altar and then lay the foundation of the temple. All of this was under the direction of King Cyrus the Great. Zerubbabel also happened to be in the Davidic line and descendant to Jesus, born 12 generations earlier (12 representing perfection and completeness). He was called both Zerrabbubal and Sheshbazzar. Zerubbabel under King Darius and Sheshbazzar under King Cyrus.
The name Zerubbabel means, “The seed or son of Babylon” and also “Pressed out of Babylon.” I find both of these definitions interesting because firstly, to be called a “son” of a place in which he was held in captivity, being of royal and noble birth, reveals that he was labeled and known by the captivity and not his true identity. Secondly, I find it highly prophetic to be called a name that also means “pressed” out of Babylon as it reveals that the destiny on his life was to “come out” of the captivity he called home. He is also known by the Persian name of Sheshbazzar which means “joy in tribulation,” which also has a connotation of the triumphing while in exile.
This anointing being released right now is leading this nation out of captivity, out of imprisonment and out “from under” the oppression of principalities and demonic powers that seek to enslave it. I also see the nation coming out of identity crisis and confusion and sons and daughters emerging with a heart after God’s heart to heal the land!
I prophesy that freedom is here, America! I hear that Liberty Bell ringing over you today!
A House in Ruins
During the invasion of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar the temple was left completely destroyed and it was during the reign of King Darius that the Lord spoke to God’s people through the prophet Haggai saying:
“‘Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build My house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,’ says the Lord.” (Haggai 1:8)
The Scripture goes on to say that Zerubbabel listened and his spirit was stirred. He began work on the house of the Lord. He was so deeply moved by the Word of the Lord that he took it upon himself to begin to restore the ruins of God’s house. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
I asked the Lord why he (Zerubbabel) did this and the Lord drew me to the fact that because he was of the Davidic line there was a natural responsibility and pull to restore God’s house. It was in his blood! (See Ezra 3:8.)
This anointing is a rebuilding and restoring anointing. It carries a passionate cry to reinstate the altar—the value for His presence to be center place back to the nation and to the church.
I prophesy that every ruin and place of former desolation will become monuments of God’s goodness and mercy. I see the institution of family being restored, unity between racial groups, schools welcoming the name of Jesus back, and governments operating justly and operating under the values of the kingdom, in Jesus’ name!
The Greater Glory
I’ve had visions of clouds many times when praying for America, a cloud that was moving around the nation and hovering over cities. But something shifted this March when I had a vision of a golden bowl being poured out over the nations from heaven.
Many times the church has been more like the servant in 1 Kings 18 looking out across the horizon and seeing a small cloud the size of a man’s hand saying, “The cloud is here let’s prepare for rain!” In this season, we are coming into the greater glory that has no end and no limitations where we will no longer be looking for a cloud, we will be living under the cloud (see Hag. 2:6-9).
I hear the Lord speaking this over America: “I will fill this house with My glory, and it will be greater than the glory of the former house!” says the Lord. His glory will not be confined to buildings or specific denominations but it will be poured out on whoever says, “Yes Lord,” and this glory will change the heart of the nation.
Royalty and Authority
Another trait of this anointing is a royalty and authority that disarms darkness and gives the keys back to the children of God (see Hag. 2:21-23).
Zerubbabel was given the king’s signet ring. Traditionally, a signet ring was used to engrave and imprint the king’s seal upon royal documents. It denotes authority but also approval. To be given such a thing represents a “passing over” of the baton. Zerubbabel could operate in the function of the authority given to him.
“And he said to me: ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts. ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will be made level ground, and he will bring out the top stone amidst shouting of “Grace! Grace to the stone!””
Wow, even mountains become level ground at the sight of Zerubbabel. I can see this generation walking in this level of power, authority, confidence and boldness to oppose everything that stands in their way. I see a secure bride, one who knows she is approved and beloved—valuable, regal, adored and highly esteemed.
I see sons and daughters rising up out of the ashes of pauper-dom and being orphaned by religious abuse and into powerful connection to the Father. They will no longer be weak, feeble and defeated, but powerful and carry a voice that shakes heaven and earth!
All That Was Lost
I see America coming out of debt and other nations, removing their hands from the pockets of this great nation. I hear the Lord say, “All that was lost, stolen and squandered will be returned” (see Ezra 1:7-9, 11).
I feel strongly that this is a time to declare: “Restore!” over your life for what was lost. People have suffered so much financial loss it has seemed unrecoverable but the Lord wants to do the impossible in your life. I see those who have been through bankruptcy and foreclosure are going to get their names and life back. I see lost homes being restored. There is a wealth restoration and multiplication coming to the body of Christ of America to build up, raise up and send out.
There Is a Sound
There is a sound that has rung out across the land. It’s the sound of a new era, a sound of a victory already won, a sound that natural ears can’t understand or comprehend because it comes from the Spirit. This is the sound that has filled the skies prophesying the goodness of God and declaring and claiming back America for the Lord. It feels like only a foundation slab has been laid, but it’s the promise of what is to come.
I love what Israel did to celebrate laying the foundation of the house of the Lord.
“And all the people responded with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. 12 Now many of the older Levitical priests and chiefs of the fathers’ households who had seen the first temple wept with a loud voice as the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes, though many others shouted exuberantly for joy. As a result, the people could not distinguish the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people since the people had raised such a loud noise that could be heard from afar off” (Ezra 3:11-13)
America, it’s time to shout in victory and let your sound be heard so all the world can hear it. You are a pioneer nation, a first-fruits nation and you carry a key that unlocks the doors for many other nations to inherit all that heaven has for us. So we champion and bless you today. We cast off all curses and judgments, doom and gloom prophecies and any hindrances to your destiny, and we prophesy that your best days are ahead, in Jesus’ name. {eoa}
Nate Johnston is a revivalist and worshipper who has a heart to see sons and daughters unleashed into passionate friendship with God and an effective supernatural lifestyle. Through his ministry “Everyday Revivalists,” he teaches on intimacy and hearing God’s voice which was birthed from a hunger for authentic, real, and powerful relationship with Jesus. Christy Johnston was born and raised in Australia. After living the majority of her life plagued with insecurity and fear, she came to learn the power of her identity in Christ. She now lives with the mandate to breathe fresh hope and life into Gods sons and daughters through her passion of writing, uncovering the truths of living in Grace and freedom through our identity in Christ. Nate and Christy have two daughters, Charlotte and Sophie, and currently live on the Gold Coast in Australia.
Stephen Strang 
Charisma Media Staff 
Charisma Staff 
